Mr.Webster obtained with sufficient ease the appointment of commissioners from the former State, and, through the agency of Mr.Sparks, who was sent to Augusta for the purpose, commissioners were also appointed in Maine; but these last were instructed to adhere to the line of 1783 as claimed by the United States.

Lord Ashburton and Mr.Webster readily agreed that a treaty must come from mutual conciliation and compromise; but, after a good deal of correspondence, it became apparent that the Maine commissioners and the English envoy could not be brought to an agreement.

A dead-lock and consequent loss of the treaty were imminent.

Mr.Webster then had a long interview with Lord Ashburton.

By a process of give and take they agreed on a conventional line and on the concession of certain rights, which made a fair bargain, but unluckily the loss was suffered by Maine and Massachusetts, while the benefits received by the United States accrued to New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire.